Would You Take Beauty Tips From Al-Qaeda?

In a word, no. In fact, we'd hope you wouldn't follow any of Al Qaeda's instructions, considering that they are murderous international terrorists. But of all the things for them to be lecturing us about, beauty seems especially random. (Osama bin Laden's beard doesn't exactly scream "impeccable grooming" to us.) Still, that hasn't stopped the militant organization from releasing a new women’s magazine called Al-Shamikha (Arabic for “majestic woman”). The British have dubbed it “Jihad Cosmo,” although the glossy eschews sex tips in favor of suggestions that you praise your husband’s dedication to suicide bombing. The strangest thing may be the juxtaposition of topics: along with stories on a woman’s “duty” to raise future martyrs, the magazine actually gives beauty tips, like burnishing your complexion with honey face masks—and, of course, staying indoors with your face covered. You can check out the first issue online—the lavender and hot pink cover features a woman in a burka alongside a large drawing of a machine gun.